James Plank

James Plank is a Professor in the Min H. Kao Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, within the Tickle College of Engineering. He has been at UT since 1993 and holds a PhD from Princeton University (1993), with prior degrees from Princeton (MS, 1990) and Yale (BS, 1988).

His research focuses on neuromorphic computing, including models, software, and hardware applications, alongside expertise in erasure codes for storage systems, fault-tolerance, and distributed computing. His work spans neuromorphic hardware design, spiking neural networks, and storage reliability. He also explores interdisciplinary interests like duplicate bridge, computer-mediated music performance, and origami.

Plank's publications emphasize neuromorphic computing benchmarks (e.g., Cart-Pole), neuromorphic processor architectures (RISP Neuroprocessor), and storage systems (RAID-6 codes). His research has applications in embedded systems, control systems, and energy-efficient hardware.

• Awards: Multiple teaching awards including the 2021 Brooks Distinguished Professor Award and Chancellor's Excellence in Teaching (2008).
• Grants: Supported by NSF and industry partnerships, focusing on neuromorphic computing and storage reliability.
• Labs: Leads TENNLab for neuromorphic control applications and collaborates on DANNA and RISP neuroprocessor frameworks.